Mounting device for flexible film

ABSTRACT

A device for mounting a flexible film which includes a pair of substantially parallel rails having a first plate member disposed near one end with stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other. A second plate member is oppositely disposed to the first plate member and is positioned along the rails, with the second plate member having stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other. Bar elements are disposed in association with the first and second plate members forming a pivotal clamping arrangement, and a handle element is mounted transverse the rails. A flexible film may be mounted between the first and second plate members by the stud members projecting therethrough.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Forrest Ashton Wessells FOREIGN PATENTS 1N ggg gg l 510,446 8/1939 GreatBritain 95/100 Nov:29,1968 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73]v Assignee W. R. Grace & Co.

New York, N .Y.

[54] MOUNTING DEVICE FOR FLEXIBLE FILM 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl

[51] Int. Cl.

2,078,078 4/1937 Hood 2,410,131 10/1946 Sardesonetal 603d 3/00 Field of Search Asristant Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorneys-Eugene M. Bond and Kenneth E. Prince ABSTRACT; A device for mounting a flexible film which includes a pair of substantially parallel rails having a first plate member disposed near one end with stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other. A second plate member is oppositely disposed to the first plate member and is positioned along the rails, with the second plate member having stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other. Bar elements are disposed in association with the first and second plate members forming a pivotal clamping arrangement, and a handle element is mounted transverse the rails. A flexible film may be mounted between the first and second plate members by the stud members projecting therethrough.

Patented March 2, 1971 3,566,766

2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVBNTOR FORREST A. WESSELLS N. .r z

Patented March 2, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 8 FOR REST

INVBNTOR A. WESSELLS ATTORNEY MOUNTING DEVICE FOR FLEXIBLE FILM" This invention relates to a devicefor mounting a flexible film and especially for mounting a flexible printing plate formed of a photocured polymeric composition. More particularly, the present invention provides a device having a plurality of stud members disposed along a plate member for retaining a flexible film during processing thereof.

Heretofore, numerous attempts have been made to provide a useful, simple, and efficient means for supporting a flexible film during processing thereof. Typically, these units have not been versatile andhave met with little commercial success. It has now been found that by the practice of the present invention: a device for mounting a flexible film is provided which is versatile inoperation, simple in construction, and readily. adaptable to processing stations which may be necessary for processing the flexible film subsequent to exposure.

Generally stated, the present device for mounting a flexible film includes a pair of substantially parallel rails having two plate members positioned therealong. The plate members are provided with a plurality of stud elementsdisposed along one surface thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other. One of the plate members is permanently attached near one end of the substantially parallel rails; and the second is desirably adjustable and positionably fixed thereon as desired. A handle element is mounted for convenience relative to the rails. The plate members having studs projecting therefrom are pivotally mounted to a rod element and in association with a fixed bar which receives the studs therein for clamping a flexible film desirably under slight tension therebetween.

The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the device for mounting a flexible film by the practice of the present invention; 7

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a clamping lock mechanism; and

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along section lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

In the drawings wherein similar elements are referred to by similar numerals throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates mounting device having a pair of substantially parallel rails appearing as rods 12 and 14. Disposed along the rails 12 and 14 is a plate element 16 having a plurality of stud elements 18, illustrated in position and substantially parallel, for retaining flexible film 20 by studs 18 projecting through cutouts 22 conveniently provided through fixed bar 23 for retaining the flexible film therebetween.

The flexible film 20 is further retained by stud elements 24a illustrated further in FIG. 4 also substantially perpendicular to plate 24 and oppositely disposed relative to fixed bar 26 in similar fashion through provided cutouts as that illustrated for elements 22. Desirably, one of the plate elements disposed between rails 12 and 14 is slidable therealong to provide a means for receiving variable sizes of film therebetween. For example, plate 16 which with bar 23 forms a clamping arrangement is desirably permanently fixed by any desirable means to near one end of rails 12 and 14. Plate 16 pivots relative to bar 23 about common axle 28 forming a hinge arrangement which may be spring biased if desired. Plate 16- may also conveniently include a finger gripping means such as raised surface 30 for readily pivoting the plate 16 relative to bar 23.

The oppositely disposed plate 24 may be similarly formed in all respects to plate 16 with finger gripping means positioned therealong, and having a hinge association with bar 26 about axle 32. The elements forming a clamp arrangement may be slidably positioned along rails 12 and 14 as illustrated to the phantom position by attachment to tubular slides 34 and 36 respectively. The slides are movable as indicated by direction arrow 35 of FIG. 3.

Plates 16 and 24 may be locked in closed position by any suitable means including magnetic elements, pins or desirably as illustrated, slide lock 38 described in detail hereafter for gripping a fixed lug 40.

Disposed near one end of rails 12 and 14 is handle element 42 desirably formed of lightweight material such as plastic which is fixed to the rails by transverse support 44.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred locking mechanism 38 foruse in the device of the present invention. As illustrated, the

mechanism 38 includes a base member 46 attached to plate 24 and slidably thereon is lock member 48 having a substantially perpendicular surface relative to leg elements 49 which engage lug 40 beneath one surface thereof. Leg elements-49 are maintained in position against base member 46- by flat head rivet 50 which permits movement in th e.direction of arrow 51. of the leg elements for engagement with lug 50 for locking position. 1

Illustrated further in FIGS. 3 and 4 is L-shaped member 44 receiving handle 42 and retaining same by any suitable means such as a series of pins 45.

It is apparent that a great number of differently shaped flexible film retaining members may be designed to perform the function that is generally illustrated for simplicity in the drawing. In addition, various means may be included for mounting the retaining members as well as for the positioning of the various elements relative to each other. The device for mounting flexible film according to the present invention permits lockup-catches to assist in holding the flexible film under slight tension during processing thereof.

All moving parts of the present device for mounting flexible film may be made of wear resistant materials, thus insuring a long life. Since it is recognized that light materials are preferred which may be more susceptible to damage, the various moving elements may be made of hard, long wearing materials and may be removed and reinstalled when worn whereas the nonmovirig parts may be made of relatively lightweight materials. The rail elements may be desirably formed of a metallic wire or'rod. Either metal or plastic may be used to form the various elements of the present device.

The present device for mounting flexible films is especially useful for retaining under slight tension a pl'iotocured printing plate prepared of the photocurable composition which requires after photocuring, additional processing through an etching bath, wash tank, drying tank or the like such as is required for removal of nonimage areas which remain uncured after exposure and curing of the desired'image areas which may serve as a printing medium.

A useful photocurable composition for preparing printing plates which may be mounted in the device of the present invention is that set out in copending application having Ser. No. 674,773, filed Oct. 12, I967, assigned to the same assignee hereof and incorporated by reference herein. In said application, a photocurable polymeric composition is disclosed consisting of apolyene containing at least two unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds per molecule and a photosensitizer such as benzophenone.

After the flexible film has been photocured in the desired image areas, and in particular in preparation of a printing plate such as described, the plate may be perforated along a boundary area by stud elements as well as along a second boundary area to receive the oppositely disposed stud elements for mounting a printing plate of flexible material within the device under slight tension. After the printing plate has been processed as may be desired, it may be readily removed simply by pivoting plates 16 and 24 relieving the stud engagement with the flexible film.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present trans-- flexible film unless otherwise indicated may be secured: to ad joining elements by any suitable means such as bolts, welding, rivets or the like. In addition, auxiliary. support for reinforcement members may also be included-as part of the device as may be required.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined.

lclaim:

l. A device for mounting a flexible film which comprises:

A. a pair of substantially parallel rails having a first plate member disposed near one end with stud elements disposed along the base thereofand projecting substantially parallel to each other;

B. a second plate member oppositely disposed to said first plate member and positioned along said rails, said second plate memberhaving stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other; a

C. bar elements disposed in association with said first and second plate members forming a pivotal clamping arrangement;

D. said plate members and said bar elements being hinge associated with bar elements fixed in position relative to said rails;

E. lock members for securing said plate members in closed clamping position relative to said bar elements; said lock members having a pair of leg members slidably mounted for gripping beneath a lug member fixed to at least one of said rail elements;

F. a handle element mounted transverse the rails; and

G. whereby a flexible film may be mounted between said first and second plate members by said stud members projecting therethrough.

2. The device of claim 1 in combination with a flexible printing plate mounted through cutouts disposed in said plates .to receive said stud elements.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said substantially parallel rails are formed of rods or wires. 

1. A device for mounting a flexible film which comprises: A. a pair of substantially parallel rails having a first plate member disposed near one end with stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other; B. a second plate member oppositely disposed to said first plate member and positioned along said rails, said second plate member having stud elements disposed along the base thereof and projecting substantially parallel to each other; C. bar elements disposed in association with said first and second plate members forming a pivotal clamping arrangement; D. said plate members and said bar elements being hinge associated with bar elements fixed in position relative to said rails; E. lock members for securing said plate members in closed clamping position relative to said bar elements; said lock members having a pair of leg members slidably mounted for gripping beneath a lug member fixed to at least one of said rail elements; F. a handle element mounted transverse the rails; and G. whereby a flexible film may be mounted between said first and second plate members by said stud members projecting therethrough.
 2. The device of claim 1 in combination with a flexible printing plate mounted through cutouts disposed in said plates to receive said stud elements.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said substantially parallel rails are formed of rods or wires. 